EastEnders’ star’s devastating lung cancer death – despite never smoking
Lyndham Gregory starred in both EastEnders and Coronation Street as well as long running radio soap, The Archers, The Bill, Rumpole of the Bailey, Surgical Spirit, Doctors and Casualty
Lyndam Gregory played Guppy Sharma in EastEnders(Image: Shutterstock)
He was a beloved star of two of the UK”s favourite soaps – both Coronation Street and EastEnders – as well as being an accomplished star of both stage and screen.
Friends, family and fans of Lyndham Gregory were left devastated when the actor tragically died aged just 59 from lung cancer, even though he had never smoked.
Born in India in Darjeeling, Lyndham was the son of a tea planter while his mother, Marina, worked as a teacher. In the early 1960s his father, Neville, made the decision to relocate the family from India to London, swapping their stunning views of the Himalayas for city life.
From an early age, it became clear Lyndham craved a career in showbiz and he studied at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic At. His first professional role was in a production of The Blue Monster at the Arts Theatre in London.
His wife, Christine, said: “Lyndam began his working life in a bank but always aspired to work as an actor on television, having been beguiled by black-and-white programmes when he arrived in London.”
Lyndham Gregory starring in Surgical Spirit(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
His dream came true when he first appeared on stage and on television in a raft of hugely popular programmes.
Lyndham secured his first TV role in 1979 when he was cast as Latif Khan in Rumpole of the Bailey. Four years later he got his first role in a soap, which he would become known for starring in. He won the role of Sammy Patel in Coronation Street.
Then along came soap number two when he voiced the character of Ashok in the long-running radio show, The Archers. His big break came in 1995 when he was cast as Guppy Sharma on EastEnders, a role he would continue in for the next 12 months and one which made him instantly recognisable.
Lyndham had roles in both Coronation Street and EastEnders(Image: Shutterstock)
In a poignant obit to her husband, published in The Guardian, Lyndham’s wife, Christine, said: “Lyndam loved being in the soaps, although the wide audience they attracted meant that many complete strangers would approach him as though they had known him for years. He enjoyed filming EastEnders at Elstree studios because of its association with landmark films.”
As well as his work in soaps, Lyndham also appeared in the comedy, Surgical Sprit between 1989 and 1992, plus roles in The Bill, London’s Burning, Casualty and Doctors. He also narrated audio books.
Lyndham, a non-smoker, was tragically diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2013 and died a year later. He is survived by his wife and daughter, Dominque.
